Prince Charles pays tribute to the Queen and Prince Philip's relationship in moving speech

Prince Charles spoke fondly about his parents' relationship during his latest royal engagement

Prince Charles pays tribute to the Queen and Prince Philip in moving speech
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Charles has paid tribute to the Queen and Prince Philip in a new speech, following the disappointing news that Her Majesty has canceled her Christmas lunch. 


The Prince of Wales has shared fond words about his mother, the Queen, and his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, at his latest royal engagement. 

Speaking at the Britannia Royal Navy College on Thursday, the future King explained why the institution had played such an important role in his parents' relationship to an audience of approximately 202 Royal Navy Officer Cadets, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Officers, and sailors. 

Her Majesty was first formally introduced to Prince Philip at the Dartmouth military academy in 1939 when she was 13 and he was 18. At the time, the future royal consort was enrolled as a cadet and preparing to join the British forces in WWII, while Princess Elizabeth II was living with her parents at their London townhouse, 145 Piccadilly. 

A young Queen and Prince Philip 

(Image credit: Getty)

"My father, as Lord High Admiral himself, was extremely proud of his links to this College, and it was here that my mother and father first met in the Captain’s garden, while my grandfather, King George VI, carried out the inspection of your predecessors," he said. 

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The college also holds great significance to Prince Charles. After entering as a graduate student, the Prince spent six weeks learning all the ins and outs of the Royal Navy before enlisting in the armed forces.

DARTMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Admiral of the Fleet makes an inspection as he presides over the Lord High Admiral's Parade at Britannia Royal Naval College on December 16, 2021 in Dartmouth, England. (Photo by

Prince Charles inspects the guard at the Britannia Royal Naval College

(Image credit: Peter Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty)

"For myself, it is somewhat alarming to think that fifty years ago I was standing where you are as part of Blake Division on the eve of my own Naval service which, to this day, I still look back on with great fondness and pride," he added.  

The Prince also inspected the guard and met with the Royal Marines band, before presenting graduation prizes to nine newly graduated Officer Cadets. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.